Prince George Citizen June 22, 2023

Gas price cut approved

LABBÉ Glacier Media

Gas used to heat your home in B.C. is set to take a price cut, dropping bills up to $125 a year after the province’s largest gas utility received regulatory approval to adjust its cost.

The BC Utilities Commission (BCUC)

approved FortisBC’s quarterly rate change to more accurately reflect the market prices for liquefied natural gas (LNG).

The price changes will take effect starting on July 1 and reflect an approved 25 per cent drop in commodity pricing from $4.159 per gigajoule to $3.159 per GJ. See FORTIS FACING on page 2

In

B.C. and made note of the letters parents provided in support of Melissa Sweder but also noted the number of health and safety hazards officials found when they were finally able to

Fortis facing stiff competition from BC Hydro

Continued from page 1

Prices will once again be reviewed to reflect market rates in the fall. Supply and demand, global economic conditions and weather all play a factor in what customers end up paying

FortisBC is currently looking to maintain and increase the number of gas hookups in B.C. homes.

The company faces stiff competition

from BC Hydro as many consumers choose to switch their home heating to electric heating units such as heat pumps

Fortis says it will increasingly offer options to receive “renewable gas” as a way to contribute to decarbonizing B C ’s energy sector a province where, alongside transportation, emissions from buildings often make up the largest share

PUBLIC NOTICE

City of Prince George 2022 Annual Report

of a municipality’s carbon pollution. In 2022, the company filed an application with the BC Utilities Commission so every newly built home that wants a gas hookup would automatically receive renewable gas a catch-all term which can include a combination of hydrogen; gas pulled from the gasification of coal, plants or wood; or methane emissions siphoned off manure, landfills, or

wastewater plants that, once processed, are largely indistinguishable from fossil natural gas.

FortisBC says making gas a key part of B.C.’s energy future would avoid expensive retrofits In 2021, the company commissioned a report that claimed a mixed gas-electric future will still meet B.C.’s climate emission reduction targets and will save $100 billion

Entry refused

Continued from page 1

However, if she is caught without one while caring for three or more children who who are not related by blood or marriage, Sweder would be subject to a fine of as much as $10,000.

At the Council meeting on June 26, 2023 Prince George City Council will consider the 2022 Annual report, in accordance with section 99(3) of the Community Charter. The meeting is held at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall on the 2nd Floor, 1100 Patricia Boulevard, Prince George, B.C.

The Annual Report will be available for public review on June 9, 2023, on the City’s website: princegeorge.ca/annualreport Paper copies will be available for viewing at City Hall Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Service Centre (1st Floor) and the Legislative Services Division (5th Floor).

Members of the public who wish to comment or ask questions about the Annual Report are invited to attend the June 26th meeting to address Council in person.

Written comments can be forwarded to the corporate officer by 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 20, 2023, to be included on Council’s agenda. Submissions received after this time will be provided to Council on the day of the Council meeting for their consideration.

Written submissions may be submitted in the following ways:

1. online form: https://www.princegeorge.ca/form/comment-on-the-annual-report

2 email to cityclerk@princegeorge.ca

3. fax to (250) 561-0183

4. delivered in-person or via mail to

Attention: Corporate Officer Legislative Services Division City of Prince George 5th Floor, 1100 Patricia Boulevard Prince George, BC V2L 3V9

For further information, please contact the Legislative Services Division at (250) 561-7600 or cityclerk@princegeorge.ca

• 1100 Patricia Boulevard, Prince George, BC V2L 3V9 311@princegeorge.ca

The matter began May 10 when Northern Health received a complaint about the number of children at Sweder’s home Licensing officers offered to work with Sweder to bring her business into compliance, but she refused to cooperate and would not allow officials into her home, the court was told.

Sweder inquired about obtaining a licence but backed away upon learning that she, as well as her own children, would have to go through a criminal record check, a proviso she called “disgusting.” Sweder was also concerned friends of her own children would not be able to visit because it would violate the supervisor-to-child ratio.

“I will not permit entry today and will never permit entry to my home,” Sweder reportedly told officials on May 11 “I will not become licensed and I will continue to care for children. I bend the rules and I informed my parents that this is an unlicensed care that does not follow the rules. They are all fine with this arrangement.”

The court also heard about the officials’ marked Northern Health vehicle being targeted with a water balloon raid by children at the home that, in part, forced a truck to stop because they were blocking the street. Later the same day, another child spray painted the back end of the vehicle, the court heard.

Armed with a court-endorsed search warrant, officials were able to enter the home on June 8 and came across several safety hazards and concerns, from inadequate supervision to openly-stored cleaning supplies to an uncovered smoke alarm to a toddler playing with an air conditioner in the play area.

In contrast to her tone while dealing with the officers, Sweder expressed a willingness to comply with the rules going forward when she addressed the court

“I didn’t think it was going to get to this point,” Sweder said “I kind of just run my home the same way and all the parents were happy with the care and in full support so I didn’t realize it was going to get this far ”

Premier unveils homelessness partnership

TED CLARKE Citizen staff

The province and the City of Prince George have formally agreed to jointly address the local homelessness situation in a concerted effort to fast-track temporary shelters and build new permanent housing for people sheltering outdoors.

The agreement signed by Premier David Eby and Mayor Simon Yu also ensures a commitment to prevent new camps from becoming entrenched by having the necessary supports in place to get people off the street

“One of the most pressing concerns we heard this morning from mayor and council is people in Prince George can’t find housing,” said Eby “This is leading to dangerous encampments, dangerous for the people living in them and distressing to the community as a whole.

The partnership will spawn two new programs.

The Homeless Encampment Action Response Teams (HEART) program

funded by the province in partnership with local government, First Nations, Northern Health, and non-profit groups will give the city the ability to respond quickly to encampments and provide the supports and service needed to put a roof over the heads of the city’s estimated 300 homeless people

The Homeless Encampment Action

Response Temporary Housing (HEARTH) program will provide emergency housing and shelter options and immediate support to help people living in camps or public spaces get inside to access temporary or permanent housing that fits their needs.

Eby said similar work is being done in Vancouver and Kelowna, where those cities have also promised to open up more housing for the homeless and he committed to exploring new ways to get social housing built in Prince George.

In recognition that close to 80 per cent of the city’s homeless population is Indigenous, Eby also promised to engage in First Nations and other Indigenous organizations to ensure people have access to culturally appropriate care

Yu sees the partnership with the province as “light at then end of the tunnel,” but he says the clock is ticking and a housing solution has to be found before cold weather arrives. One possible solution for temporary housing he would consider would be to set up a

workcamp-style projects using portable trailers He said some buildings in the downtown core are in the process of being converted to housing

“We have a small window before the winter and we want to make sure there are enough heated and winterized units so the people on the street and in encampments right now have a place to go,” said Yu

Terry Teegee, regional chief of the B.C. Assembly of First Nations, was encouraged by the new partnership and the plan to develop a holistic approach to tackling homelessness in Prince George

But Teegee stressed the importance of making sure the rights of the homeless are protected, as they were in February 2022 when the B C Supreme Court denied the city’s application to close the Moccasin Flats encampment

“As we’ve seen at Moccasin Flats and other encampment areas in Prince George, the homeless do not have a voice and there were bylaws and other initiatives to displace them,” said Teegee.

CITIZEN STAFF PHOTO

Premier David Eby speaks as members of Prince George city council look on

New school board trustees eager to get to work

HANNA PETERSEN Citizen staff

Sarah Holland and Shar McCrory, who were elected Saturday night as the two new trustees on the School District No. 57 (SD57) board of education are ready to get to work.

Holland topped the polls with 1,590 votes, followed by McCrory with 1,384 votes according to preliminary polls.

Holland is a former District Parent Advisory Chair (DPAC) and has been on the Library Board and Hart Community Association and McCrory has eight years experience as a trustee for Coast Mountain SD82 in Smithers

“It’s an honour It’s humbling that I came first and I’m looking forward to the work to come,” said Holland.

“One of the things that I’m most looking forward to work on is the relationships within the district that have been damaged recently. We used to be known as a district that had really good working relationships with our partners, with our

partner groups, or our stakeholders and I’m not seeing evidence of that at the moment ”

Holland added that rebuilding relationships will be a good starting point

“We don’t always have to agree with our partner groups, with our, with our stakeholders with the right holders But we always should be respecting people’s opinions, respecting the work that our staff does ”

The by-election was prompted by the resignation of trustees Betty Bekkering and Gillian Burnett who described a dysfunction school board following the dismissal of Superintendent Cindy Heitman.

Prince George District Teacher’s Association President (PGDTA) had also recently been critical of the board’s silence on negative public comments regarding SOGI (sexual orientation and gender identity) in schools and the SD57

DPAC had made calls for greater transparency

“I would just like to say, thank you to the citizens of Prince George for really turning out,” said McCrory.

“In the last by-election, there were only 1,137 votes total and this by election, I received more than that many votes. It shows that people really do care and it shows that people really want to have input into the board and SD57 ”

In total approximately 4,988 people came out to cast a vote in this by-election

“Looking at those results I think that they definitely spoke to that people wanted experience with the district, experience with governance in place, and people respected human rights, shall we say,” added Holland.

“I know that there were certainly trustee candidates who I think would have been terrific had it been a general election and had there be more spaces on the board.”

McCrory also thanked everyone who put their names forward to run as a trustee in the election

The next big task School District 57 is facing is to pass a balanced budget with a shortfall of $2.3 million for the 2023/24 school year

Budget discussions will resume at the districts’ June 27 board meeting, however the timeline is quite tight as both Holland and McCroy may be sworn-in as trustees just prior to that meeting.

“I really want to dig do a deeper dive into the budget, looking at it myself before that meeting, in hopes that I get to be part of that discussion,” said McCrory

“I don’t think we’ll be able to have either Shar or I, we’ll be able to have a huge amount of impact on the budget choices, quite frankly, given that a balanced budget needs to be sent to Victoria by the end of the month,” added Holland

The board is required to submit a balanced budget to the Minister of Education and Child Care by June 30, 2023.

Report card days set

School District No. 57 (SD57) is standardizing report card writing days for all elementary schools in the district.

“We are happy to support parents and will do what we can to ease the burden of childcare,” said Rachael Weber, Chair, School District 57 board of trustees ‘We hope to see exciting new opportunities and programming for students come out of this plan,” added Pam Spooner, the

district’s acting superintendent

Primary report card writing days at all elementary schools in SD57 for the 2023-2024 school year will be; Monday, November 27, 2023, Monday, February 26, 2024, and Friday, June 7, 2024. Intermediate report card writing days at all elementary schools in SD57 for the 2023-2024 school year will be Monday, June 10, 2024.

SHAR MCCRORY

HOLLAND

ARTHUR WILLIAMS Citizen staff

Canada’s first stand-alone renewable diesel refinery, located in Prince George, could enter production in July.

Once Tidewater Renewables’s $430 million refinery and hydrogen plant is fully operational, it will 170 million litres of low-carbon renewable diesel per year, company chairperson and CEO Rob Colcleugh said Construction of the refinery employed a peak of 270 full-time workers during construction and will create 30 high-paying full-time jobs during operation, he said

“There was no shortage of challenges over the last three years (But) we’re just about reaching the finish line,” Colcleugh said

Instead of using crude oil as feedstock, the refinery will use canola oil, tallow, used cooking oil and tall oil to produce fuel, he said Unlike biodiesel, which is made from similar feedstocks, renewable diesel is “molecularly identical” to convention diesel, Colcleugh said.

While most engines can run on fuel mixtures with five-to-10 per cent biodiesel, renewable diesel can be substituted for conventional diesel, reducing carbon emissions by 80 to 90 per cent, he said

Between the new refinery and its existing co-processing diesel plant at the Prince George Refinery, the company will be able to produce 180 million litres of low-carbon fuel per year – 14 per cent of the CleanBC target of producing 1 3 billion litres by 2030.

The project wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the province’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard, Colcleugh said. Under the legislation, Tidewater was awarded credits for increasing the use of low-carbon fuels.

B C Premier David Eby spoke at an opening ceremony for the refinery “A low-carbon future means

high-quality jobs and clean industry for British Columbians, as this investment by Tidewater in clean diesel refining shows,” he said

In addition to renewable diesel, the plant will also produce hydrogen using power from BC Hydro’s renewable power supply There are 24 different hydrogen plants proposed in the province, Eby said, including a project proposed by the McLeod Lake Indian Band and Mitsubishi Power north of Prince George

The combined potential value of those hydrogen plants is $16 billion, Eby said

“It’s an exciting time, but we have to be ready to take it,” he said

Weapons, drugs seized

ARTHUR WILLIAMS Citizen staff

Prince George RCMP seized a variety of weapons, drugs and drug-deal paraphernalia from the encampment in Millennium Park last week.

Officers from the RCMP Downtown Safety Unit, supported by frontline officers and members of the Emergency Response Team, executed a search warrant at the encampment, located at the corner of First Avenue and George Street, just before 5 p m on Thursday “Investigators have noted a sharp increase in the amount of illicit drug use and drug trafficking in Prince George in recent months,” Prince George RCMP

spokesperson Cpl Jennifer Cooper said “In response to this, our specialized units are making concerted efforts to target those engaged in the trafficking of illicit substances, as the violence associated with drug trafficking puts our community at risk.”

Police seized machetes, knives and other weapons, fentanyl, several types of prescription drugs, and drug-deal paraphernalia including scales from the encampment

Five people were arrested during the execution of the warrant, and were released pending the results of the full investigation All five were known to police, the RCMP statement said. The investigation is ongoing

Speeder gets driving ban

MARK NIELSEN Citizen staff

A man who went as fast as 180 km/h in a bid to evade police has been prohibited from driving for six years.

Corey Todd Siebolts, born 1987, was also sentenced to 628 days in jail for the April 15, 2021 incident on Highway 97 south of Quesnel.

At the time, RCMP said it began at 5:17 p.m. when an officer spotted a Mercedes near Edwards Road heading north at 145 km/h. It accelerated to 180 km/h in response to hailing from RCMP

“As the Mercedes entered Quesnel city limits, a second police vehicle attempted to stop the car but it again failed to stop and drove into oncoming lanes in a construction zone on Highway 97,” RCMP said “Witnesses reported the driver

continued to drive dangerously down Dragon Lake Hill, swerving in and out of traffic at high rates of speed ”

Police laid two spike belts on the north side of the Quesnel River Bridge But tires flattened, the driver kept going and hit two civilian vehicles, then lodged the car between a dump truck and another truck, then reversed and rammed a police vehicle.

RCMP used a Taser and pepper spray in the course of apprehending the driver. A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered a large quantity of drugs and a loaded handgun Charges related to that aspect were stayed in July 2022 due to Charter reasons, court records show Siebolts was issued the terms in Quesnel Provincial Court on a count of dangerous driving under the Criminal Code

Prince George RCMP seized weapons and drugs from Millennium Park

City council postpones megapark decision

ARTHUR WILLIAMS Citizen staff

City council is seeking more information before making a final decision about a proposed park development at the corner of Ospika Boulevard and 22nd Avenue.

In December, city council deferred a decision on the proposed Prince George Community Foundation and Rotary Mega Park until after the 2023 budget cycle The community foundation and downtown Prince George Rotary club have partnered to raise money to build the park, but a report on the life-cycle cost of

owning the park estimated that operations, maintenance and capital renewal projects would cost the city $68 million over 50 years The majority of the costs, more than $41.6 million, were associated with major capital renewals which were projected to be needed around year 24 of the park’s operational life The annual operating cost was projected to be $107,000 per year, plus inflation

“I don’t want this to die tonight,” Coun. Brian Skakun told representatives of the community foundation and Rotary club.

“(But) obviously, you’re going to have to come back with some firm numbers ”

The proposed park would include a

junior adventure park, youth adventure park, spray park, accessible playground, bicycle pump track, senior-friendly outdoor fitness station and other amenities

A motion, put forward by Coun. Cori Ramsay, to move forward with a partnering agreement with the community groups was defeated by council

“I grew up near a mega park in Parksville It was a huge attraction,” she said

While $68 million is a lot of money, she said, over 50 years it will amount roughly 0.005 per cent of the city’s budget.

“We dump millions of dollars into things that aren’t our jurisdiction parks are our jurisdiction,” Coun Kyle Sampson

said. “We should be doing our best to work towards a ‘yes ’”

Sampson said he is worried that if council continues to postpone making a decision, the gift offered by the community groups will come off the table

Mindy Stroet, director of development for the Prince George Community Foundation, said it will be up to the boards of the two organizations if they are prepared to continue trying to fund the park for the city

City council voted to request additional information about the financial plan for the park, including potential revenue-generating opportunities

BINGO

SATURDAY, JUNE 24TH

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

SD57 WORKER SPEAKS

I am hoping to shed some light on an email sent out to CUPE members regarding this past weekend’s trustee election for School District 57 As district employees we receive emails to personal accounts rather than our SD emails and now I realize why that is. It is so they can send out information that is not quite appropriate to send to our SD email

We tend to read all different sources of media content and listen to our family and friends’ opinions and it all heavily influences our decisions daily I do not feel that our CUPE president (or any voted members) should be using these resources or the professional forum to show preferential treatment or trying to influence people on which way to vote. Isn’t it convenient that the union got their hands slapped during the last election due to printed materials sent out that showed bias content? They retracted it then, went around and picked said materials up and we all moved on from it. And I wish now that I had that too

Imagine being someone who didn’t spend much time paying attention to this election and reading “Endorsed Candidates” from the email of the CUPE President herself, why wouldn’t you vote for the only two names listed on the poster? I watched as candidates tried to navigate their way through this election and all I can say is that I had a hard time wanting to vote for anyone When did trustee positions become about what a person “stands for” personally? Shouldn’t

these positions be focused on those who have knowledge and would add value to supporting the students’ educational needs? I purposely left out education and chose knowledge because I feel that education and understanding can come from the people you least expect

Everyone has been so wrapped up making people look bad They are forgetting the important piece is the students SOGI & Indigenous Reconciliations have been the focal point of every argument and schools don’t have enough textbooks

While I applaud the efforts made by probably 17 strategic planning committees that were paid an obscene amount of money, to try and make the appropriate and necessary changes to the Indigenous Education Requirements, the presentation of these requirement changes is so misunderstood that they cause people to be bitter and divided While I do feel that this is on a positive path forward, someone needs to clearly present it so that kids and parents understand why it is so necessary to make these changes so that IE is learned and becomes common knowledge Why are we so for still having students read Shakespeare, but we don’t want them to read Richard Wagamese?

SOGI is also so widely misunderstood. Why is it so bad that we have books on shelves that kids can relate to? Or learn from? I have a hard time believing any school employee would ever try and encourage a child to explore their sexuality or preferences or pronouns at tender ages I don’t know about you but at 5 I

was just excited to pick a buddy to walk the attendance slip down to the office. I think transparency going forward on this is key to stopping the hate toward someone that might be different than me. Age appropriateness in any content is implemented at all levels I am tired of hearing rumors of “that teacher telling kids about sex” “that teacher is telling kids it is okay to be a boy and encouraging them to get sex changes” Sex education is not a part of any school I have ever been to at the age of 5, 6, 7

Our job as educators and employees at schools is to create a safe, stable learning environment Whatever that student may need. Whether it’s a listening ear, or a snack or finding the right supports for a student who might not have the privilege other students have to talk to their parents if they are feeling different, feeling not like themselves, being bullied at school. It is my job to make a student feel like if they have the courage to voice something that must be so confusing, I am going to do whatever I can to make sure they feel SAFE to do so. It is my job to help find the RIGHT person qualified to help them in ANY situation that they are suffering through at that moment

Here are some things I have heard from some of my students lately:

“Not all of us have the quarterback prom queen high school experience Some of us don’t know what we are going to do this summer when we eat two of our meals a day at school and don’t get a third at home?”

“Not all of us have parents that are accepting of grades less than an A.”

“Not all of us have the encouragement of adults that actually believe we can do anything or everything ”

“Not all of us started high school with the best of marks but the harder we try that one teacher still makes us feel like we will never amount to anything because we didn’t show initiative while our lives were crumbling at home But we really want to try now but he won’t let me because he doesn’t think it’s worth his time to help ”

‘If I tell my dad I am gay, he’ll kick me out of the house, and I won’t have anywhere else to go.”

When it comes to SOGI, there should be inclusivity for all students. Rich, poor, somewhere in the middle Any race, religion, sexual orientation. Do I think kids at 5 should be asked what their pronouns are? No, I don’t.

Because I think they should be worrying about who’s going to cut the crust of their sandwich when their mom forgot And if the girl next door is going to play with them

The “burn the book” mentality has got to stop I want to live in a world where a kid feels safe to be who they are. We need to do better

Till next time, we may want to ask ourselves and the CUPE president why these endorsements are happening and that while it may not be considered coercion, it is at the very least inappropriate?

A School District 57 unionized employee

We acknowledge the financial support of the government of Canada.

Nous reconnaissons l’appui financier du gouvernement du Canada.

NEIL GODBOUT EDITORIN-CHIEF CURTIS ARMSTRONG PUBLISHER

MAILING ADDRESS

505 Fourth Ave. Prince George, B.C. V2L 3H2

OFFICE HOURS

8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday to Friday

GENERAL SWITCHBOARD

250-562-2441

info@pgcitizen.ca

GENERAL NEWS news@pgcitizen.ca

SPORTS INQUIRIES 250-960-2764 sports@pgcitizen.ca

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING

250-562-2441

cls@pgcitizen.ca

PUBLISHER

250-960-2757

carmstrong@pgcitizen.ca

READER SALES AND SERVICES

250-562-3301

rss@pgcitizen.ca

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR letters@pgcitizen.ca

WEBSITE FEEDBACK

digital@glaciermedia.ca

Treatment centre construction underway

HANNA PETERSEN Citizen staff

Carrier Sekani Family Services (CSFS) held a ground-breaking ceremony to commemorate the start of construction for the long-awaited treatment and healing centre on Tachick Lake.

Over the past six months, workers have been preparing the site for the future home of the CSFS Tachick Lake Healing Centre, which is a project that has been decades in the making.

“First Nations people have never been so heavily-impacted as now by the recent onslaught of disasters, including the toxic drug supply, that are causing death among Indigenous people in disproportionate numbers,” said CSFS Board President and Chief of Cheslatta Carrier First Nation Corrina Leween

“One would think that these deaths are isolated to major city centres but the fact is that it is everywhere – including some of our most rural and remote reserves We have seen the community isolation necessary under COVID-19 add to an increase in alcohol consumption among our people – this, and other mental health and addictions continue to impact families ”

Leween said that while First Nations people are resilient in countering the historical effects of colonization, today’s

environmental hazards have compounded the social, health and economic problems in First Nations communities

“It is our vision that the Tachick Lake Healing Center will be a catalyst for change – and highlight how many more resources are required for community-based supports, including ongoing counselling, housing and employment training, if we are to make meaningful changes ”

The Tachick Lake Healing Centre will provide medical detox, and a residential treatment program that uses both cultural and western treatment modalities

Four structures will provide year-round residential treatment and the facility will offer a 10-bed medical detox program for

immediate access to medically supported detox, as well as a 36-bed residential treatment program

The program works under the belief that First Nations’ culture and spiritual way of living, which honours and respects all creation, will empower communities and strengthen First Nations people.

It’s built upon the concept of landbased healing, which refers to a way of using culture on traditional lands to promote wellness and healing, so it is important that the residential treatment centre and the healing activities the program does in communities are based on the land.

The location of the treatment centre is therefore vitally important to the

program’s structure.

The site will include medical detox facilities, residential spaces, and landbased healing spaces like greenhouses, gardens, smoke houses, outdoor kitchen and workshop areas to use as a multipurpose space for activities such as carving or yoga

“The Healing Centre will provide health and treatment based on sound practises including cultural, spiritual, social and science-based medical treatments,” states CSFS CEO Warner Adam.

“Our vision is to be a Centre of Excellence for Indigenous Health and Wellness and demonstrate our ability to work with all partners to ensure that our people have the supports needed to re-gain their dignity and a solid path forward for healing.”

The construction of the Healing Centre is scheduled for completion in early 2025.

CSFS expects to welcome staff and clients for services starting in spring 2025 and has already commenced the hiring of trained staff, including physicians, nurses, allied support staff, cultural support staff, and various positions needed to operate the new facility

Construction will cost approximately $40 million and is supported by the First Nations Health Authority, the Province of British Columbia and the Government of Canada as well as ongoing donations.

Waiting room videos explain patient process

As a referring hospital that serves a population of 300,000 that’s open 24/7, every day of the year, there’s never a dull moment at UHNBC’s emergency ward as hospital staff struggle to try to keep up to the demand of a never-ending flow of patients.

ER patients often are left wondering how the hospital sets its priorities in triaging patients, why they have to wait so long and why some patients who arrive at ER after them are seen to first Emergency room doctor Christina Boucher and family physician Montana

Halliday thought of a way to answer those questions and help defuse some of that patient anxiety They formed a cultural sensitivity working group in Prince George that involved other health professionals focused on trying to improve conditions in the emergency room at UHNBC, especially for Indigenous patients Highly-respected First Nations elders from various communities in the North gave ideas for the doctors and they did their best to implement them.

Discussions with Lheidli T’enneh elder and UNBC chancellor Darlene McIntosh spawned an idea to produce three short videos to explain the ER triage system and why the sickest, most injured

patients are given priority during an ER visit, how to manage your pain while you wait to see a doctor, and alternate avenues for health care as well as the complaints process

“Complaints in the ER are always the same, ‘Why can’t I get something for pain while I wait,’” said Halliday. “They don’t understand that to determine which pain medication you need a doctor to assess that because you might have, for example, kidney issues which would mean you can’t have certain medications ”

Backed by the BC College of Physicians, Halliday secured $10,000 in funding and worked with Sonic Studios to create the videos, which involved doctors, nurses

and Indigenous actors The videos are now being shown hourly on the screen in the ER waiting room

“It was quite an interesting project, hoping to bring more clarity and compassion and understanding for what goes on, considering what disarray our emergency and our hospital and our medical system is in,” said McIntosh “We need to do things so our First Nations people feel they’re cared for and looked after It’s so important, and this should be a general thing across the board for any person going into emergency. They’re not there for the fun of it They’re in pain, and a lot of times it could be the mental aspect also ”

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Chief Corrina Leween, the CSFS board president, speaks at the Tachick Lake groundbreaking ceremony,

TED CLARKE Citizen staff

MPs prefer in-person over virtual

MARK NIELSEN Citizen staff

Whether or not it becomes a permanent feature, it appears unlikely that MPs Todd Doherty and Taylor Bachrach will take anymore advantage of teleconferencing technology to participate in debates in the House of Commons from the comfort of their home ridings.

Both Doherty, the Conservative MP for Cariboo-Prince George, and Bachrach, the New Democrat MP for Skeena-Bulkley Valley, admitted to taking in sessions virtually in the past but remain proponents of being in Ottawa in person as much as possible when the House is session

“Canadians elected their Members of Parliament to be their electors’ voices to Ottawa,” Doherty said.

In introducing a plan June 8 to make so-called hybrid parliaments permanent, Government House leader Mark Holland said it will mean

MPs can continue their work while also attending important events in their ridings or dealing with personal and family matters

He argued that making it permanent could help encourage new people to run for public office, such as parents of young children

Doherty and Bachrach represent ridings that are among the furthest from the nation’s capital. Taking in a session virtually could mean less time stuck in planes in airports but there is also the three-hour time difference between B C and Ontario to take into account

Doherty said his days in Ottawa typically start at 6 a m “That means when I’m at my computer at home from 3 a.m. to whenever our meetings break,” he said

Hybrid parliaments have been in place since MPs started returning to the House of Commons after the initial lockdowns at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Voting by app began in 2021.

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has been an outspoken critic of the Holland’s proposal Doherty said the issue is really about whether or not the matter should be settled through a standing order at the start of each session

The current order expires at the end of the month and Holland said the need to debate the extension of that emergency order at the start of each sitting of Parliament has taken up a great deal of time

But Doherty said Holland’s proposal would require only a majority to gain approval whereas a standing order requires unanimous consent of the House

Bachrach said he will look for measures that will prevent Liberal ministers from using the system to dodge accountability And while he sees some merit for the idea in certain situations, “virtual parliament is no replacement for being in person.”

Read the full, unabrdged version of many of these stories at pgcitizen.ca

Don’t miss your opportunity to win big with thousands in cash and exciting prizes. Immerse yourself in the world of gaming with an array of options including blackjack, poker, and various table games. Our extensive selection boasts over 500 slot machines for endless entertainment. We’re open seven days a week from 9:00 am until 2:00 am, ensuring there’s always a convenient time to visit.

it.

New coach punting youth football forward

TED CLARKE Citizen staff

Grassroots football is flourishing in Prince George under the guidance of a new face in town.

Jamie Boreham built the Okanagan Football Academy from scratch three years ago in Kelowna and he brought that framework with him last winter when he moved north to become the head coach and director of football operations for the Prince George Kodiaks.

On Jan 5, Boreham hit the ground running with a group of kids who joined the Kodiaks Academy for off-season training sessions at the Northern Sport Centre Boreham will continue to work with his academy players throughout the summer leading up to the fall 6-on-6 tackle football league involving teams from Prince George, Vanderhoof, Quesnel and possibly Terrace, which starts Aug 12

That league, which wraps up Oct. 21, will include three age divisions Grade 3 and younger (flag football), Grades 4-5

(tackle) and Grades 6-7 (tackle) Games are on Saturday and practices are Tuesday and Thursday evenings

Boreham is patterning the tackle league after a 6-on-6 league in Outlook, Sask., run by a friend and former Saskatchewan Roughriders teammate, Brian Guebert.

“We’re going to take one of the best models, use them as resource tools and see what we can do and build here,” said Boreham.

“If we can build excitement around the game and increase the positive experience that helps them come back. When parents see coaches invested and a consistent product then parents become happier too ”

Boreham, 45, a school teacher who taught elementary and high school in Kelowna and Vancouver, played eight seasons in the CFL as a punter/ placekicker, and won the Grey Cup with Saskatchewan in 2007

He joined the Okanagan Sun as an assistant coach in 2012 and served three seasons as head coach from 2019-21, named B C Football Conference coach of the year in 2021

He was hired by the Kodiaks in December to replace Keon Raymond, who headed the junior team in its inaugural BCFC season

The junior Kodiaks’ first game of the 2023 B C Football Conference season is on Saturday, July 29 at Masich Place Stadium against the Sun, the defending national champions.

That will be the first of three meetings between the teams this season

The Sun will make a return visit to Prince George on Sept 30 and the Kodiaks will visit Kelowna for a return encounter the following week on Oct 7

The Kodiaks play their first three games this season at home and will also host the Westshore Rebels on Aug. 12 and Kamloops Broncos on Aug 19

Their first road game is set for Aug. 29 in Nanaimo against the Vancouver Island Raiders.

Prince George also heads south Sept 9 to take on the Langley Rams, with a rematch against the Rams at Masich on Sept 16

The Kodiaks will be in Chilliwack Sept 23 in Chilliwack against the Valley Huskers.

Kodiaks training camp starts July 6

The Kodiaks are also offering eight weekly multisport and activity summer camps starting July 3 at their home base at the Hart Community Centre on Austin Road.

JAMIE BOREHAM

Mine investment raised

ARTHUR WILLIAMS Citizen staff

Artemis Gold has announced a partnership with Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. to invest an additional $54 million Canadian) into the Blackwater Mine.

The open-pit gold mine, 160 km southwest of Prince George, is expected to start production in the second half of 2024 The mine’s working life is projected to be 22 years The cost to get to production is estimated at $730-750 million.

“Artemis Gold Inc announces that as a result of internal engineering analysis, it has committed to additional investments as part of its Phase 1 development of the

Blackwater Mine… in order to facilitate the potential fast-tracking of the Phase 2 expansion,” a statement issued by Artemis said “These investments in the Phase 1 initial capital are expected to allow the Company to further optimize throughput in the early years of operation.”

Wheaton Precious Metals Corp is providing the additional funding in exchange for approximately 92,000 ounces of gold, to be delivered starting in 2034.

The funding will be used to increase the conveyor belt widths in the crushing circuit, electrical upgrades, upsizing the oxygen plant and other investments aimed at facilitating construction of Phase 2 of the mine

Chamber seeks top stars

TED CLARKE Citizen staff

The Prince George Chamber of Commerce is on the lookout for the city’s movers and shakers, people making a difference to improve their businesses and make the city a better place to live.

The chamber is counting on the public to help identify the game-changers, innovators and trailblazers of our community as possible choices for its Top Figures Under 40 program

There’s just one catch. Each of them has to be under the age of 40

It’s been five years since the chamber of commerce highlighted its group of rising stars in the business world

Formerly known as the Top 40 Under 40, when the chamber used to select 40 individuals all featured in a printed magazine, the selection list has been paired down to 10 or 15 individuals, whose profiles will be posted next to a feature photo on the chamber website.

The group will gather for a dinner at the Prince George Golf and Curling Club on the night of Thursday, Aug 17

A new crop of Top Figures Under 40 will be picked every other year

BC Parks honours devoted volunteers

ARTHUR WILLIAMS Citizen staff

BC Parks honoured two Prince George volunteers for their contributions to making area provincial parks better, as part of the 2021-2022 BC Parks Volunteer Awards.

Every two years, the BC Parks Volunteer Awards recognize volunteers who “go above and beyond” to care for BC Parks and protected areas

UNBC geography professor Brian Menounos was named the 2021-2022 Individual Volunteer of the Year

“When the Berg Lake Trail in Mount Robson Provincial Park experienced a significant flood in the summer of 2021 that caused considerable damage, Brian was eager to help,” BC Parks’ website says “He shared his extensive knowledge of glacial science and climate change, and provided vital data to BC Parks Staff Brian is always there when staff need advice, and he has played a crucial role in the planning and rebuilding of the Berg Lake Trail with climate resiliency in mind.”

Longtime Caledonia Ramblers Club

Year

volunteer Dave King received the 20212022 Volunteer Legacy Award.

King has volunteered with the club since 1975.

He played a key role in developing the

Ancient Forest/Chun T’oh Whudujut Provincial Park, Viking Ridge Trail and Fang Mountain Trail in Evanoff Park He also helped relocate the upper half of the Sugar Bowl Trail in

Sugarbowl-Grizzly Den Park.

“At 80, he continues to volunteer his time in BC Parks maintaining and clearing trails,” the BC Parks website says “Without incredible individuals like Dave King, Prince George citizens would not have the same opportunities they do to enjoy the parks in the area ”

The Ozalenka Alpine Club, based in the Robson Valley, was named 2021-2022 Large Volunteer Group of the Year.

The club has operated for 30 years in the region.

“In 2022, Ozalenka Alpine Club built a beautiful backcountry cabin in West Twin Provincial Park,” BC Parks’ website says “The cabin will be used by many people to explore the backcountry for years to come ”

During a regular meeting of the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George board of directors last Thursday, director Dannielle Alan called on the district to send letters of congratulations and thanks to the award recipients for their contributions to the region.

“I’d like to recognize these champions who have made life richer for so many residents,” Alan said

Reduced activity seen in home construction

ARTHUR WILLIAMS Citizen staff

Heading into the prime summer construction season, the City of Prince George had issued a total of 125 building permits by the end of May, worth a combined $36.4 million, according to a report to city council. That is the lowest number of permits issued and second-lowest value of permits issued by the city between Jan 1 and May 31 for years between 2018 and 2023 Even in 2020, despite the disruption caused by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the city had issued 50 more building permits by May 31.

“When we look at the building permits, it looks pretty dour,” Coun. Garth Frizzell said. “The big building months aren’t behind us, they are in front of us ”

By May 31 of each year, the City of Prince George had issued the following number of building permits:

2023: 125 permits worth $36.4 million

2022: 194 permits worth $116 4 million

2021: 222 permits worth $108.2 million

2020: 175 permits worth $34 6 million

2019: 209 permits worth $53.9 million

2018: 176 permits worth $52 8 million

Data for 2018 to 2020 came from a report to city council in June 2020

To date this year, the city has seen a drop in permits for new residential and commercial/industrial buildings

As of May 31, the city had issued permits for 19 new houses, 12 new duplexes, four multi-family

developments (apartments and townhouses) and one new mobile home The city had also issued permits for nine new industrial buildings worth a combined $2.9 million and no new commercial or institutional buildings By May 31, 2022, the city had issued permits for 46 new houses, five new duplexes, 11 multi-family developments and 10 mobile homes. The city had also issued permits for 10 new industrial buildings worth a combined $25 5 million, seven new commercial buildings worth a combined $28 6 million and two new institutional buildings worth a combined $0.3 million.

City director of planning and development Deana Wasnik said that the city does have more than 100 active applications for subdivisions, and three proposed developments in College Heights could spur “a large number of building units ”

Coun. Cori Ramsay said the combination of global economic uncertainty, rising interest rates and rising costs of construction could result in development drying up in the city

“It’s not a good time to build, unfortunately,” she said. “There may be more of this to come ”

UNBC geography professor Brian Menounos was named the 2021-2022 Individual Volunteer of the

CITIZEN STAFF PHOTO

Crews work on an apartment building under construction on Southridge Avenue on June 2.

Rarities were on display at Show and Shine

TED CLARKE Citizen staff

If you went to the Cruisin’ Classics Show and Shine on Father’s Day, you may have seen two rare 1920-era beauties, likely made a stone’s throw from each other a year apart at the Hudson Motor Car factory in Detroit.

One of them is a six-window 1928 Essex sedan, which rides on thin wooden spoked wheels.

Marius St Pierre bought it three years ago in Smithers from Brian Lundy. Right down to the dials on the dashboard, the hinged windshield and the shutter-style radiator grill, Lundy spent 20 years trying to make it look much like it when it left the factory floor 95 years ago

Powered by a 1,400 cubic-centimetre

(85 cubic-inch) Toyota Carina motor, it’s not built for speed. But with its immaculate interior, four suicide-style doors and eye-catching paint job it’s a definite headturner And there’s no mistaking what year it was made. His personal licence plate reads, ‘ITSA 28 ’

“I’m the car’s caretaker,” said St. Pierre, a retired sawmill worker

“I put 500 miles every year on it. It’s not a picture you hang on the wall, you drive the damn thing.”

Hudson’s Essex division produced smaller, more affordable cars, and back then you could buy a new sedan for $795

Hudson’s performance engines in 1929 went beyond power capabilities of their rivals at the time in the late-20s and early-30s and were known as Super Sixes, an F-head straight six cylinder 288 cubic-inch

motor that put out 92 horsepower Gangsters and bootleggers favoured the Hudson because it had a top speed of 70 or 80 miles per hour and could cruise comfortably at 52 mph, faster than most police cars.

Loren Allen‘s street-rodded 1929 Hudson two-door coupe is much faster than that It’s built more like a drag-strip demon, powered by a 351-cubic-inch Windsor engine capable of delivering 470 hp.

“It’s only 2,000-pound car, it goes,” said Allen. “This is a fast car.”

It took seven years for him to build his car, which he calls Reaper. Allen didn’t do the engine work or the interior and the frame was engineered, but the body work is all his

“Marius and I try to park together,” said

Allen “The years are so close His is to a ‘T’ immaculate, he’s got so much original stuff But I didn’t have running boards and that stuff and in order to make this thing, I just rodded it out, and it’s still fun and cool.”

He knows he loses to St Pierre’s Essex when it comes to fuel economy.

“I started mine in the driveway and I probably used as much fuel in the driveway as he used all the way here,” said Allen, who owns Thunder-N-Chrome body shop in the Hart, where he does custom painting/airbrushing work and hydrographic designing on cars and motorcycles.

“I don’t race this car I figured it took seven years to build it and 30 seconds to kill it, and if you’re showing off, nothing good ever comes of that.”

United Way opens wildfire response fund

HANNA PETERSEN Citizen staff

The United Way of Northern B.C. is working to support communities in the region affected by wildfires. In order to ensure that help and resources are centred around providing resources to those who need, UWNBC had established an Urgent Response Fund and

developed a list of potential volunteers.

The Urgent Response Fund will collect donations from organizations and individuals that would like to help but don’t know how – and the funds will help both now and when communities are in recovery.

This will be for evacuated communities, communities directly supporting evacuees, and in the case that the worst happens and fire impacts a community directly

United Way of Northern BC will collect these funds and then work with local people and agencies to determine where the funds are most needed and then disperse the donor contributions as the situation evolves

UWNBC will also be creating a list of volunteers should they be needed to support agencies who are seeing an influx of added population in their community, evacuee centre supports, and recovery supports

Marius St Pierre, left, stands next to his 1928 Essex sedan, while Loren Allen flanks his 1929 Hudson coupe

Gitxsan journalist unveils debut memoir

HANNA PETERSEN Citizen staff

Acclaimed Gitxsan journalist Angela Sterritt will be stopping in Prince George to speak about her debut memoir Unbroken, which is both her own story and a work of investigative journalism about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

Unbroken shows how colonialism and racism led to a society where Sterritt struggled to survive as a young person, and where the lives of Indigenous women and girls are ignored and devalued

“My story’s important for people to read, but I really want people to not let that take away the focus of the main part of the book, which is about those women and girls who didn’t survive violence, and who are still missing and whose murders are still unsolved,” explains Sterritt. She noted that having these conversations is incredibly important, as only two recommendations out of the 230 from the national Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls have been completed

“That sends a strong message out

about how much do we matter as Indigenous women?”

Sterritt will speak about Unbroken with CBC Radio’s Betsy Trumpener at Books & Company’s Artspace at 1685 Third Ave, on Saturday June 24 from 1 p m to 2:30 p.m. with a book signing to follow the conversation

“It’s incredibly important to bring that story to my own territory, as well as Lheidli T’enneh territory because not only is this an area where there’s been a tremendous amount of violence against Indigenous women and girls, and women and girls in general, but there’s also been tremendous amounts of oral history, Indigenous law, Gitxsan law and stories of how strong and powerful and adaptive and creative we are as Gitxsan people,” Sterritt explained.

She said it’s important to shine a light on colonial violence and to hold institutions to account but it’s equally important to shed a light on the incredible value

that indigenous people hold.

“A lot of the book is about Gitxsan people, and about my family’s history, and where we come from as Gitzsan people where we are today as Gitxsan people,” said Sterritt “My elder and also my cousin, Jane Smith, translated all the chapter titles for me and so she’s going to be at the events in Hazleton and then I’m really hoping that the event in Prince George with Betsy Trumpener will shed light on the strength of the people of Lheidli T’enneh not just on the trauma.”

Sterritt said she wanted her book to dispel the myths that Indigenous people in this region are just filled with trauma and despair

“I think it’s very counter productive for non-Indigenous people to highlight our stories like that, because it paints that stereotype It paints us in one or two dimensions and it paints us as defeated or unable to to rise against oppression,” she said.

Grammy winner Alex Cuba to perform with PGSO

HANNA PETERSEN Citizen staff

The PGSO’s mainstage concert series at Vanier Hall will feature Northern BC resident and Grammy winning singer-songwriter Alex Cuba.

Cuba is known worldwide for his unique sweet melodies, pop-soul hooks, and powerful guitar riffs. He’s scheduled to play with PGSO on March 9, 2024

The PGSO’s 2023-24 season will also include a thrilling lineup of local and national talent The series opens with a family-friendly Halloween concert featuring Lemony

Snickett’s hilarious The Composer is Dead – a musical murder mystery. It then continues with a fusion of Indian and orchestral classical music in a program contrasting Beethoven’s Symphony No.1 and Sri Lankan-Canadian composer Dinuk Wijeratne’s Tabla Concerto PGSO music director Michael Hall will present another Discovery concert in February, featuring Dvo ák’s popular “New World” symphony. The symphony’s discovery concerts have become one of their most popular formats, providing a great experience for new concert-goers but also a deeper experience for the connoisseurs

This concert will also feature members of the Prince

George Symphony Youth Orchestra, the PGSO’s collaborative education project with the Prince George Conservatory of Music

The symphony’s season will come to a close with the ethereal Fauré Requiem, featuring the Prince George Cantata Singers along with featured soloists Elaina Moreau and Andrew Greenwood

Tadd Mao, winner of the symphony’s young artists competition, will perform the first movement of Rachmaninoff’s great second piano concerto, and the concert also presents the JUNO-winning My Name is Amanda Todd by Jocelyn Morlock.

ANGELA STERRITT

Healthy Nort

Mental Health & addictions housing

BC’s Minister of Mental Health & Addictions was in Prince George last week to announce the opening of complex care housing services in Prince George.

Complex-care housing services will be offered by a team of health-care providers that can include nurses, mental-health and substanceuse clinicians, and psychologists to help people living at a supportive housing building operated by Connective Supportive Housing

For more information visit stories.northernhealth.ca/news/complexcare-housing-services-open-prince-george

Wildfire Preparedness

B.C. experiences 1,600 wildfires per year, on average. While the majority of these fires are put out before they threaten people, homes and communities, it is important to be prepared especially if you live in an area prone to wildfire. Learn more about the effects wildfires can have on your health and safety, while learning information to prepare you and your family for wildfires and wildfire related issues by following northernhealth.ca/healthtopics/wildfires-and-your-health

Report a wildfire by calling *5555 on most cellular devices or dial 1-800-663-5555

Alcohol Consumption Guidelines

Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol & Health shows 6 or fewer drinks a week helps avoid increasingly high risks for health issues. It’s OK if you’re not there yet. Remember, any reduction helps lower your risk and every little bit counts. If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol and substance abuse, Northern Health offers programs and services that can help. Find them here: northernhealth.ca/services/mental-healthsubstance-use/programs-and-services. For the latest health guidelines on alcohol consumption refer to the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction ccsa.ca/ canadas-guidance-alcohol-and-health

HOROSCOPES

ARIES

The holidays are fast approaching, and you don’t have to stay home. You must balance your chakras to live in harmony with friends and family

TAURUS

Work and finances could be a source of worry this week and won’t help ease tensions in a complicated relationship. Particular topics of conversation will calm your existential concern.

GEMINI

You’ll continue to put off the chore of cleaning your home. Your brilliant ideas will pay off at work, provided you know how to express yourself and show initiative and leadership.

CANCER

You’ll invest money in decorating your home and improving your quality of life. You’ll also want to keep up with technology by purchasing several sophisticated gadgets.

LEO

You’ll struggle with impulse control this week. You’ll move up the corporate ladder quickly However, once you’re at the top, you’ll realize the extent of your new responsibilities.

VIRGO

You must budget for family life and big projects. The holidays are coming up, and you want everything to be perfect so you can relax and enjoy the moment.

LIBRA

You’re generous and won’t hesitate to help distressed family members. Be careful not to put yourself in a situation where you would exhaust yourself. Know how to put yourself first.

SCORPIO

Whether you have time off or not, you’ll settle into the comfort of your home while letting your mind wander What better way to be transported to a different world for a while than with a good TV series?

SAGITTARIUS

CAPRICORN

Using high-quality materials when renovating your property isn’t only a luxury but an excellent longterm investment. If you’re in a new relationship, you’ll consider living together

AQUARIUS

Whether on a voyage, in a therapy session, at a conference or training seminar, you’ll make new friends. You’ll experience special moments while letting go of deep-seated emotions.

PISCES

A simple love note from your partner isn’t enough for you; you need a more meaningful demonstration of love. They must make you dream. Fortunately, you’ll enjoy several romantic moments.

You have a festive nature and will know exactly how to get your friends together to celebrate the arrival of summer. Everyone will demand your attention at work, and you’ll have many customers to serve.

In Loving Memory of LeslieDawnNorbeck

Jan. 17, 1969 - June 22, 1986

And to those who speak of healing“Such fools,” I softly sayThe only thing that could ever heal us would be to have our Leslie back Missing you, dear Leslie, more than words can ever sayLove always and forever, Mom and Dana

June 19, 1974December 24, 2001

Forever in our Hearts Loving You Always Dad and Momma Your sons, Ben and Brett Your granddaughter, Elaina Raine

Dornbierer, Harold August

November 2, 1931 - June 8, 2023

Stu and Les sadly announce the passing of their father, Harold Dornbierer, on June 8, 2023 A true pioneer of Prince George, Harold is predeceased by his wife Betty and daughter Lynn Logan He is survived by his two sons, Stu (Barb) and Les (Ursula), in addition to eight grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren, all of whom he adored He is also survived by his brother Mike (Peggy) and sister-in-law Diane Dornbierer Harold spent 35 years in the Fire Service and 20 years as Fire Chief of Prince George, succeeding his father, August His brother Mike also spent a term as Fire Chief in Prince George The "Chief" was a prominent figure throughout his career in the community and was deeply committed to serving the citizens of Prince George Harold and Betty loved camping at Fraser Lake and travelling to Yuma for several winters before retiring in their community of Desert Cove in Vernon They returned to Prince George 12 years ago to be closer to their daughter Lynn and family, who provided them with loving care Harold maintained his strong independence,

BradleyCraig

It is with profound sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our dad, Bradley Craig on June5,2023.

Survived by his parents, Al & Colleen, his daughters, Ashley (Mark), Nicole (Reed), three grandchildren Harrison, Max and Emma, his siblings Bruce, Brian (Sharleen), Brenda and numerous nieces and nephews all of whom he lovedhardandwoulddoanythingfor

Brad was born in Saskatchewan and lived in Manitoba in his early years before he built his life in Prince George BC for more than 40 years He logged for much of that time and was fortunate enough to spend his off hours doing some of his favorite activities: fishing and drinking beer He spent almost every weekend camping with family and friends, water skiing, knee boarding and bare footing. Eventually Brad bought a house out at Bednesti Lake where he befriended a host of neighbors who eventually became part of the family This property became the hub for many family get-togethers and parties where we would sit around the fire and cruise on thedrifter

A service will be held at his house on Saturday July1st,2023at11am.

Dad, you were the life of the party and the center of our world and we will miss you more than we thought possible.

In loving memory

Alexandria Bourke Gladwin

In Memoriam

In Memoriam

Inlovingmemoryof Robert(Bob)Redekopp

Robert (Bob) Redekopp, 87, of Vernon, BC, passed away on June 5th after a valiant battle withcancer

BobwasbornonAugust26,1935,toHenryandJoyceRedekoppinPenticton,BC

In his teen years, he moved with his father to Prince George, BC, where he lived for many yearsbeforemovingtoVernon,BC

In 1955, he married Grace (Bradford) Redekopp. Recently, they celebrated their 68th weddinganniversary Theyhadthreechildren:Joyce,Glenda,andRobert(Rob)

Bob worked as a Fireman for CN Rail, as a Correctional Guard at the Prince George CorrectionalCentre,andasaco-owneratHenry’sCafé

After retiring, he spent his time travelling, fishing, gardening, and spoiling his wife, children, grandchildren,andgreat-grandchildrenasmuchaspossible Bob was predeceased by his parents. He is survived by his wife Grace, his sister Flo; his three children, Joyce (Ernie) Forsythe, Glenda (Kevin) Beattie, and Rob (Lhalic) Redekopp; his six grandchildren, Michael (Carol), Bronwyn, Ryan (Rebecca), Joshua (Tina), Colby (Dane), and Abegail; and his thirteen great grandchildren, Zoe, Maddox, Mia, Patrick, Hazel, Elleora,Isaiah,Samuel,James,Elijah,Mary,Peter,andJenessa

Someday, we will meet again. Of that, I am sure.

BrookMcDonald

It is with deep regret and profound sadness we announce the unexpected passing of the man, the myth, the legend, Brook McDonaldatthetenderageof37yearsoldbyoverdose.

His life was fast and exciting, always balancing on the edge He always had the best stories about his experiences or adventures While the family only heard the censored versions of most of his exploits (even still, almost unfathomable!) Brook was wonderfully quick and witty, using humour and bringing laughter to everyone Brook was an avid Sasquatch hunter and swears he saw one at least once Howeverwearestillleftwithoutanyviableproof!

Brook loved his family, fishing, hunting, guns, women and Russia. He was always talking about defecting there one day! He was loved by many, many women! He was a total charmer with a giant heart and made everyone around him feel loved, safe and seen. It was his talent Brook just had this special way about him and a certain twinkle in his eye He was exceptionally tough. He had some kind of internal fire that gave him super hero strength and no holds barred with zerofear

He wasn’t ever the most fortunate person, but you’d never know it This man was one of the greatest men, not in the conventional ways and that’s what made him so extraordinary. Whether you knew him his whole life or met him once, those who loved and cared for Brook, who were loved by Brook, felt, and will continue to feel priveleged and gratefultohavemethim Heispainfullymissedbyall

Brook is survived by his Mother, Barb, his Father, Angus, his sisters Jamie and Tegan, his brother, Zach, all of the women whose hearts he stole, all of his extended family, friends and colleagues, the neighbours instantly afraid when his truck would pull onto the street, and the police, who can now rest easy!

The celebration of life for Brook will be held Saturday, July 1, 2023 at 2:00 pm in the Lakewood Alliance Church 4001 5th Ave,PrinceGeorge

ROCHON, Madeleine

March3,1933June13,2023

Madeleine passed away on June 13, 2023 at the age of 90 while residing in the Mackenzie Hospital Long Term Care Unit for the last five years She was predeceased by her loving husband Jack Rochon in 1998 and their daughters Katherine, Patricia & Ruby in 1957. Her grandson Jacob in 1995. Her parents Jacob and Walberga, as well as her sister Maryanne, brothers Martin, WilfredandEddie.

Madeleine is survived and will be deeply missed by her other children. Keith (Barb), Jacquie (Dale), Brad and also by her grandchildren Carrie (Byron), Steve (Jessica), Maigan (Brad), Joe (Karli), Chanelle (Landon) and her great grandchildren Grayson, Finley, Jacob, Regan and Walker She is also survived by her sister Helen RochonandbrotherHaroldKlein.

Madeleine was born in La Fleshe, Saskatchwan, one of three girls and four boys born to Jacob and Walberga Klein. She met Jack, the love of her life in Lac La Biche They met in a restaurant where she was working as a waitress Madeleine always said she stole him away from another woman. They were married in 1952 and resided in Prince George. Madeleine has lived the last twenty five yearsinMackenzie,B.C

Madeleine lived a full life as a wonderful wife, mother, homemaker, grandmother, sister, and friend. Madeleine loved the color purple and hummingbirds She loved to cook and bake We will never forget her fresh buns, butterhorns, and buttertarts. She kept an immuculate house and had many talents. We can remember her washing walls just when company was coming over for a visit She bowled in a league for many years and was awarded trophies and pins for scoring over 300 in numerous games She was a highly skilled knitter and created beautiful baby sets, mittens, etc Her favourite pastimes in her later years was doing word searches and hundreds of jigsaw puzzles She loved to go camping and travelled to Nashville, Disneyland, Arizona, and all over BC, Alberta,andSaskatchewan.

Madeleine’s wishes were for a casual graveside service and she wanted everyone to go for lunch afterwards All family and friends are welcome to attend. The service will be held on Friday June 30th at 11 am, at the Prince George Cemetary, 3300 Memorial Park Lane Family and Friends are welcome to join us for a lunch and socializing afterwards at the Fortune Palace Banquet Room, 4088 Hollandia Drive Your meals are your responsibility and we will be providing dessert If possible please notify one of Madeleine’s children or contact Jacquie by email, text or phone if you will be attending the lunch. jpsieben@telus.net, 250-997-7631

Tributes in Madeleine’s memory can be made to the Mackenzie Ladies Hospital Auxiliary, Box 188, Mackenzie, B.C., V0J-2C0. This organization donates medical equipment to our localhospital

WilliamEdward Lukeniuk

June9,1963-June15,2023

Lovinghusband,dedicatedfatherand fun-lovinggrandfather

After fighting the good fight, Bill is resting in peace with the Lord. He leaves behind his loving wife Brenda, childrenChantell(Bryan),Levi(Amanda), Jazzmin (Ryan), grandchildren Hunter, Avery,Emily,Brooklynn,Macy,HendrixandJamison.

In lieu of flowers, donations will be accepted at Bill’s Celebration for the New Life Christian Centre (tax donations can be issued upon request). The Centre serves streetpeopleinPrinceGeorge.

You are welcome to join us as we reflect onBill’sjourneyhereonEarth

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 24, 2023 at 2:00 p.m at the Westside Family Fellowship located at 3791Hwy 16West,PrinceGeorge,BC.

REMEMBRANCES

GaryStanleyPeters

May4,1945-June11,2023

Our family grieves the loss of Gary, a man of faith, integrity, loving husband and father, loyal friend and mentor to many Gary retired in 2007 from Telus Engineering after 27 years of service. Gary loved people, everything was better when sharedwithfamilyandfriends.

Gary is survived by his wife, Tess (Theresa), daughters: Gail (Steve) Derksen, Lisa (Craig) Reimer, grandchildren: Sydney (Jon) McLaren, Logan (Grace) Derksen, Quin & Connor Reimer, andRhysDerksen.

Predeceased by parents Peter J & (Clara) Mable Peters, brother Stirling and granddaughter Erin Derksen.

Celebration of Life: 7pm, June 26, 2023, WestwoodMBChurch,PrinceGeorge,BC.

Memorial Donations: Mennonite Central Committee Canada/current disaster response or RotaryHospiceHouse,PrinceGeorge.

BernardMichaelHuzar

May21,1939-June11,2023

Bernie was born in St. Michael, Alberta to a farming family. The family moved to the Lower Mainland when his father trained with what would become the South Alberta Regiment, which was bound for the European theatre during World War II; his father didn’t make the trip due to health reasons. Bernie spoke a patois of Polish, Ukrainian and Russian in his Vancouver neighbourhood near China Town and he remembered watching the battered Canadian soldiers offloading from ships at the end of the war; probably from the Hong Kongtheatre.

When the family moved back to Alberta, Bernie continued to help the family and even became an avid trapper on a trap line. When of age, he began looking for work in British Columbia, as attested to by a postcard to his mother stating that Prince George had a lot of work, so that was his next destination. He found work for the Highways Department and met his best friend Henry there. He also met his wife Aline in Prince George; they had 3 boys. Bernie started several business ventures including a flat deck truck owner, a concrete pump truck owner/ operator and he also started a damp proofing business. He spent several years working for North West paving and eventually became a dump truck owner/ operator He would spend summers driving his White Western Star, with pup, working for several asphalt companies, but mostly Columbia Bitulithic paving. Evenings were spent pulling wrenches on his very well cared for truck. He would spend winters driving a plow truck for the Department of Highways and eventually for Argo and Yellowhead Road and Bridge. He passed on his affinity for shooting to two of his sons and his love of music to the other. One of his favourite past times was spendinghoursfishingwithhissonMichaelononeofthemanylakestheywentto.

Bernie was a kind man that would build bicycles out of spare parts for neighbourhood kids that didn’t have any and he would hit baseballs out to the same kids at Gyro Park. He once had a windfall and decided to help his church, Sacred Heart, which Father Door immediately used to fix their leaking roof. He spent the last years of his life fixing things in his shop and his last year was spent at Gatewaywherehewasverywellcaredforandlovedbyallstaffmembersthere.Wearesogratefultothem.

He is predeceased by his parents Alex and Rose Huzar; sister Joanne (Palamarchuk); son Michael Huzar. He is survived by his wife Aline Huzar; son and daughter-in-law Darrin and Brandi Huzar; son Dale Huzar and Julie and his sister Connie Schweitzer and many niecesandnephews.

Inlieuofflowers,pleasesenddonationstotheAlzheimerSocietyofCanadaortheCanadianCancerSociety

ThankyoutotheGatewaystaffandDoctorCosiofortheirongoingcareandsupportofourDad.Itissoappreciated.

Our mountain of strength is now at peace with his son Michael.

Condolencesmaybeofferedatwww.AssmansFuneralChapel.com

LeeMoore (neeGudveiViolaJohnson)

June21,1934-March26,2023

On March 26, 2023, heaven gained another angel. Ms. Lee Moore passed away peacefully in her sleep at the University Hospital of Northern British Columbia. Lee was born in Terrace, BC on June 21, 1934, and was pre-deceased by her husband Bill in 1985 and her brother and parents. She leaves behind her son, Jordy (Beth) and daughter Lorna (Terry). Grandchildren Cody (Taylor), Jamie, Tyler (Taran) and Morgan (Jesse) will forever cherish the time spent and memories made with their lovely Grandma Lee. Lee was blessed with four great grandchildren, Nina, Logan, Mason and Luke whom she cherished immensely, along with her cat Milo. A celebration of life for anyone lucky enough to know Lee will be held on July 2 from 2:00 until 4:00 at her home at 4749 Ferguson Lake Road. Lee is now free to continue her travels whether it be a repeat of her hitchhiking across Canada, travelling to Arizona or Mexico or creating a whole new travel plan, sheisatpeaceandwillbedearlymissed.

We love you and miss you, may you rest in peace.

January31,1956-June11,2023

Karin was born in Prince George, British ColumbiatoparentsArthurandEllenHoard.

Karin was the youngest of her three siblings Lyle HoardandIngridHolmstrom.

Karin was passionate about her long time career asalegalassistant.

Karin is predeceased by her father and mother Arthur and Ellen Hoard, her brother Lyle Hoard andbrotherinlawEricHolmstrom.

Karin leaves behind her loving husband of 49 years Bruce Nyberg. Children: Olivia (Brien) Lind , Clayton (Maddison) Nyberg. Grandchildren Vivika & Ronin Lind , Paxton & Camirra Nyberg. Her close friends Judy & Keith Dionne And manymanyniecesandnephewsandfriends.

A service will be announced by the family at a furtherdate.

Obituaries

Obituaries

KarinEllenNyberg

Obituaries

AsgerRasmussen

PassedawayMay28,2023

Asger was born in Denmark in 1924 to Hans Peter and Mary Rasmussen, the third child of eight As a young man, Asger loved to travel and had lived and worked in both Sweden and Canada before immigrating to Canada in 1953. He initially worked in northern Alberta clearing land on various farms In 1954 he married Kirsten and they settled in Prince George, where they raised four children Dad worked as a faller in the winter months, and as a cement finisher andcarpenterduringthewarmermonths

After retiring, Asger and Kirsten did a lot of travelling and visited Hong Kong, Zimbabwe, Portugal, Athens, Crete, Rome, the Canary Islands, Malta, Scotland, and Ireland, with anoccasional trip to visit family in Denmark.

Asger enjoyed playing golf in his 60s and 70s, once getting a hole-in-one He took great pleasure in playing his accordion which he did especially at Christmas, and at other family gatherings. He collected coins and stamps and would spend time looking through his collection during the winter months During the summer, he was out in the yard as much as possible tending vegetable boxes, his raspberry canes, and his apple trees asrecentlyaslastyear

Asger is predeceased by his wife of 55 years, Kirsten, both parents and five of his siblings He leaves to mourn his four children, Karin (Leo), Peter (Chris), Eva (Don), and Lars (Lisa), eight grandchildren, Christopher, Joshua, Kathryn, Sean, Cody, Jack, Milly, and Oly, and five great-grandchildren Reese, Jacob, Jude, Joseph, and Jessie, as well as his sister Alice (Agner), brother Vagn, and two sisters-in-law, Wivi and Harriet

AcelebrationoflifewasheldonJune2,2023.

“So how do I say goodbye

To someone who’s been with me for my whole damn life?

You gave me my name and the color of your eyes

I see your face when I look at mine

So how do I, how do I, how do I say goodbye?”

Dean Lewis

Martin(Corbett)(neeCharlton) Patricia“Pat”Lorraine February25,1938-April08,2023

It is with extreme sadness our family is announcingthepassingofourMom&Grammy

Mom was born in New Westminster February 25, 1938 and sadly passed away on April 8, 2023 at UHNBCHospital

Shewasthemostresilientandstrongestwoman.

In 1967 she moved from Vancouver to Prince George, 500 miles away from her family and then left to raise her children all on her own in a not so easy era, but she did it! She had many ups and downs throughout her life, but you never heard her complain about that She would just get up andstartoverandshedid,manytimes

Mom had an unconditional love for her family and enjoyed being with them. She rarely missed a Saturday bingo and frequently could be found at the casino. She loved road trips, camping, fishing and just being on the water whether it be a lake or theocean.

She is survived by her son, Gordon (Candace) Corbett and daughter Janet (John) Mobley Her grandchildren, Brooke (Tony), Sanjaya (Rosanna), Josh, Katrina (Jeff), Ashley (Jay), Shallyn, Jesse (Sarah), Madison (Jacques) and Parker (Noreen) and her great grandchildren, Jackson, Emily, Taylor, Tannen, Taigan, Titane, Temprance, Caleb, Rylan, Wesson, Emma, Theo andbabyCayde

She was predeceased by her son Kelly and missed himsomuch.

Graveside interment of ashes will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery, June 24, 2023 at 11:30am followed by a light luncheon at mom’s house(1725EmmetAve)

Scattermenotto restlesswinds, Nortossmyashes tothesea.

Remembernow thoseyearsgoneby Whenlovinggifts Igavetothee.

Remembernowthe happytimes Thefamilyties weshared.

Don’tleavemyresting placeunmarked Asthoughyou nevercared.

Denymenot onefinalgift Forallwho cometosee Asinglelasting proofthatsays Iloved...&you lovedme.

by DJ Kramer

Obituaries

ElsieM.Fortney(Hayward)

FORTNEY - Peacefully at Elmwood Place, on June 11th, 2023, Elsie M. Fortney (Hayward) of London (formerly of Prince George, BC) in her 103rd year Beloved wife of the late Wilfred Fortney (2003). Loving mother of Anne (John) Arthur, Marian Burke, and Beverly (Gregory) Leeming. Predeceased by son Alan Dear grandmother of Bradley Arthur (Yasuko Yamaga), Timothy Arthur, Douglas (Jill) Werner, James Werner, and Jessica Fortney Loving greatgrandmother of Caitlyn, Francesca, and Jessica Arthur,andChristianandColinWerner.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Canadian Cancer Society will be gratefully appreciated by the family To place an online condolenceoradonationPleasevisit

www.ForestLawnMemorial.ca

DAVIDDENMAN

March3rd1937-June9th2023

It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of our Father and Grampa. David is survived by his children Debbie, Steve (Cora), Stacey (Barb), Shawn (Cynthia), and son in law Paul grandchildren; Dayna, Brenden, David, Kimberly, Kaity, Dylan, and Paige, one great grandchild, Amelia,alsohispartnerAleta.

David was predeceased by his wife Helen, daughterDeniseandgranddaughterBrittany

David was a wonderful Father and Grampa that wewillallmiss.

Now you can hunt and fish whenever you want.

**Nofuneralbyrequest

REMEMBRANCES

Obituaries

Dustin ThomasJack

1990-2023

Our family teddy bear passed away suddenly on May 24, 2023.

Dustin is survived by his wife and soulmate, Janelle Brown and their 3 children Chase, Aspyn, and Kade. Dustin was born on July 1, 1990 to parents, Dana Marshall (Jim Marshall) and Grant Brown (Lisa Tait-Barker) Dustin is also survived by his five siblings, Marly Stock (John Hooker), Hunter Marshall (Elora), Karsyn Marshall (Liam), Devynn Marshall and Will Marshall. His maternal Grandfather, Jack Brantnall, his paternal Grandmother, Tina, as well as Janelle’s grandfather Bob Hamel. He is also survived by his aunties Jackelyn Reitenbach (Steve), Roxanne Brantnall, Cindy (Matt) Jackson, Mother in law Jackie Hamel, brother in law Alex Hamel (Alexis Hargreaves) and sister in law Baylee Hamel, and numerousotherauntsunclesandcousins.

Dustin was loved and cherished by many more family and friends, too many to mention. He was predeceased recently by his maternal grandmother,MargaretBrantnall(Mimi)

Dustin’s celebration of life will be June 24, 2023 at First Baptist Church on 5th and Gillett starting at11am.

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Antonio (Tony) Silvestre Rebelo. Tony passed away peacefully, Wednesday morning at the age of 90 ½, while being cared for at St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, B.C., surroundedbyhisfamily

Tony is survived by his loving wife of 63 years of marriage, Maria Hilaria, and his four children: Mary (late Neil) Husband, Ed (Tina) Rebelo, Tony (Sonja) Rebelo and Natalie (Roger) Rebelo Kollner Left to mourn his loss are his grand children and great grand children: Andrew (Becca), Vickie (Sandy), Nicholas, Ava, Chase (Shelby), Josh (Alex), Kristjan (Taylor), Jackson, Lucas, Sadie and Lyla. Tony will be greatly missed by his many nephews, (including his late sister’s sons, Joe (Jacque) and family, Luis (Rose) and Antonio, many nieces, cousins, and also extended family in Ponta Garca, Sao Miguel, Azores Portugal, and many close friends that were involved in his amazing life of 90 andhalfyears.

Tony is predeceased by his parents, Manuel Furtado Rebelo, Maria da Trindade Sousa Rebelo, his sister Maria Alede Amaral, brother in-law Jose Amaral,andhissonin-lawNeilAndrewHusband.

Tony was born in Ponta Garca, Sao Miguel, Azores, Portugal on November 27, 1932. Before immigrating to Canada on March 27, 1956, Tony’s work in Ponta Garca was delivering milk door to door He was known as “Antonio do Leite” “Antonio the Milkman”. When Tony came to Canada, knowing no English, he came with a suitcase, $ 100 and a Portuguese-English dictionary BeforesettlinginPrinceGeorge,

B.C. on May 2, 1968, Tony began his life in Canada in Ontario working in tobacco fields and on a construction site, then came to British Columbia to the Okanagan where he worked in orchards picking fruit; then coming up North to Fort Fraser and working on the CN Railway, then to Aleza Lake where he worked in the sawmill. When Tony moved to Prince George, BC he worked at PG Pulp Mill. After several years working at the pulp mill, he decided to work for himself and started a painting business known as Tony’s Painting. In 1972, Tony decided to get into construction and started his own company which he called “Fortwood Homes Ltd.” Tony’s passion was building homes, duplexes, apartment buildings and condominiums, developing land and that is what he continued to do up until this Spring. Tony was happiest driving his truck, being at the jobsite, swinging a hammer, sitting on a packer packing dirt, driving the rock truck, checking on the rentals, driving out to Ness Lake and sitting on the dock having a sleep and having his whole family working together in the family business. Dad was ever so proud to be a part of the “90’s club”andbeabletobefullyactivetotheend.

Prayers will be held on Tuesday, June 27th at 6:00pm and Funeral Mass on Wednesday,June28that1:30pm,bothbeingheldatSacredHeartCathedral. The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses for their exceptional careofDadwhileatSt.Paul’sHospital.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, B.C.

Established Franchise Photography Business

Serving Northern B.C for over 35 years

Gross Revenues of $150.000 plus annually from seasonal work

Lots of opportunity to expand the business

Transition support available to the right buyer

Serious Enquiries Only

Office 250-596-9199 Cell 250-981-1472

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

Established Franchise Tax Preparation Business

servicingMackenzie and McLeod Lake area for over 30 years

Gross Revenues of $85,000 to $90,000

Annually and Potential to expand revenues in a growing economy.

Transition support available for the right buyer

Serious Inquires Only Office (250)997-9003 Home (250)997-5538 Cell (250)990-0152 Business Opportunities Services for Hire

EMPLOYMENT

Toys/Games/Puzzles

Expert drywall service semi-retired tradesman. Renos additions, repairs popcorn removal and more (778)890-0162 or cell (604)750-0210

Handyperson

Home Services

• Handyman

• Painting

• Framing

• Flooring

• Trims

• Electrical

• Snow/ Lawn (250) 277-1924 Tree Services BCC TREE WORX Bucket

Please recycle this newspaper 250-562-6666 princegeorgecitizen.adperfect.com cls@pgcitizen.ca

EMPLOYMENT

Career Opportunities

Assistant Superintendent Dease Lake, BC

Lakes District Maintenance Inc (a division of Volker Stevin Canada) has an exciting opportunity for an experienced Assistant Superintendent to join our management team in Dease Lake, British Columbia

Reporting to the Superintendent of Service Area 28, the Assistant Superintendent is responsible for supporting and collaborating with the Superintendent and Foreman within Service Area 28 by planning, organizing, directing, and optimizing the deliverables of our service area contract

The Ideal Candidate for this position will possess the following:

• 5 years of highway maintenance experience

• Any combination of education and experience provides the required skill and knowledge for successful performance of all duties required

• A working knowledge of ISO 9001:2015 or training and experience in ISO Quality Management Systems.

• Exceptional knowledge of highway and bridge maintenance operations and MoTI Maintenance Specifications through previous management and highway maintenance experience

• Knowledge and experience in the principles and techniques of organizational planning, administration, budgets, supervision, and training; along with direct experience working within a collective agreement

• Excels at scheduling and assigning workflow while maintaining order in an environment of changing priorities

• Good knowledge of computer systems and office productivity software, with a strong skillset in Microsoft Excel

• Must possess a valid BC motor vehicle operator’s license

Housing will be provided to the successful candidate

Lakes District Maintenance, a subsidiary of Volker Stevin Canada, is a highway road, and bridge maintenance company was formed in 1988 during the privatization of road, and bridge maintenance in British Columbia At Lakes District Maintenance, we are committed to providing excellent service, and keeping the roads safe in our territory We take great pride in serving our communities

Located on the Stewart-Cassiar Highway, Dease Lake is a small close-knit community Its surrounding region offers some of the most awe-inspiring scenery in the entire province and is the center point for an array of recreational activities This is an ideal opportunity for someone with a passion for the outdoors

Please submit resumes to careers@ldminc ca

While we thank all applicants for their interest, only those selected will be contacted for an interview

Yuneŝit’in Health & Wellness Clinic

Yuneŝit’in Government Hanceville BC – 1 hour and 15 minute drive from Williams Lake https://www yunesitin ca/

YUNEŜIT’IN HOME & COMMUNITY CARE PROGRAM IS SEEKING HOME AND COMMUNITY CARE NURSE (RN OR LPN) .5 FTE- 35 HOURS EVERY OTHER WEEK (SCHEDULING IS FLEXIBLE TO MEET QUALIFIED CANDIDATE NEEDS

Yuneŝit’in Government Health Clinic is seeking experienced nurses to be a part of the Home and Community Care team in Yunesit’in Community This will be a four-day schedule, every other week off, opportunity from any primary residence in Canada, including paid travel & accommodations, competitive wages and bonuses

Why Work with Yuneŝit’in Government Health & Wellness Team

• Expanded scope nursing practice, providing relational and holistic nursing practice in preventative and urgent care to First Nations communities, between the capacity of Licenced Practical Nurse and Registered Nurse

• Nursing practice that focuses on a holistic understanding of patients’needs, based on relationships and community

• Competitive wages and bonuses, paid accommodation

• Paid remote-certification training

• Career advancement opportunities within FNHA

• Working partnerships and life-long friendship

• Travel to some of the most beautiful and culturally rich First Nations communities in British Columbia

• In clinic support as in counselling, traditional healing, massage and more for staff and members

• Paid foot care training

What We Offer

• Vacation and sick leave benefits

• Extended health and dental benefits

• Robust pension plan

• Extensive all-expense paid advanced training and preceptorships opportunities

• Education bonus

• Paid travel

• Recruitment and retention bonuses for long term- nurses Relocation assistance and housing

• First Nation Health Authority offers professional development opportunities to the community nurses and the candidate’s attendance will be supported

• Gull access to the FNHA practice support and practice consultation teams for Home and Community Care

Applications can be forwarded to Health Director: Jessica Doerner, Health Director Yunesit’in Government Health and Wellness Department healthdirector@yunesitin.ca For a full job description please visit localwork.ca

DEADLINE: open until filled

Skilled Help

Drywall

Job: Executive Director

Hours of work: 35 hours per week, M-F: some flexibility needed and provided, relocation assistance available

Closing Date: Until filled

Start Date: Negotiable

Salary – Commensurate with experience, benefits available

ABOUT FIREWEED COLLECTIVE SOCIETY: We run a low barrier Transition House for women and children fleeing violence, Second Stage housing, and a Women’s Wellness and Outreach services

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JOB DESCRIPTION:

Under the direction of the Board of Directors, the primary responsibility of the ED is to manage the affairs of the Fireweed Collective Society. Email fshaven@telus.net for full job description.

We are looking for a highly credible, authentic, perceptive, and results-oriented leader with a proven track record of successful planning, influencing, and implementing the strategic and financial plans of an organization If you are self-directed and progressive with the ability to create, articulate a vision, lead change, build positive working environments and relationships, and inspire a team, please consider this opportunity

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree in a related human/social services or non profit leadership preferred

• 5 or more years of progressive management experience in a non-profit sector organization

o Knowledge of leadership and management principles as they relate to non-profit/ voluntary organizations

o Knowledge of federal and provincial legislation applicable to voluntary sector organizations

o Knowledge and advocacy of community relations, that include challenges and opportunities relating to the mission of the organization

o Knowledge of risk management, of the organization’s people (clients, staff, management, volunteers), property, finances, goodwill, and image and implement measures to control risks

o Knowledge of human resources management, financial management, program & project management

o Must be sensitive to and respectful of cultural differences, differences in socio-economic status and lifestyle diversity Must be non-judgmental

o Required: – Valid class 5 driver’s license & satisfactory drivers abstract – Criminal Record Check clearance

• Intermediate Computer Skills (strong understanding of operating systems, word processing, graphics, financial spreadsheets, databases, internet/email)

• Class 5 Driver’s Licence and Criminal Records Check

How to apply:

Submit resume and cover letter, including three references, to fshaven@telus.net

the subject line Executive Director Application and your name

NAK’AZDLI WHUT’EN JOB POSTING

Office Assistant

The Nak’azdli Public Works Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Department is seeking a reliable individual to assist the department with several clerical and administrative functions on a full-time basis

For a full list of duties, responsibilities and qualifications please visit: www.nakazdliwhuten.ca/careers

Interested applicants may send their cover letter and resume to the above address or email to: jobs@nakazdliwhuten.ca

Closing Date: Friday, July 7, 2023@ 4:00 pm Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.

Assistant Bookkeeper

The Nak’azdli Whut’en finance department is seeking a full-time assistant bookkeeper who would perform a range of financial and clerical tasks under the direction of the Finance Manager The Assistant Bookkeeper shall assist with the processing of financial matters, data entry and paperwork and other functions as a supporting role to the Finance Manager. This position requires attention to detail, concern for quality and accuracy and the ability to work in a fast-paced work environment.

For a full list of duties, responsibilities and qualifications please visit: www.nakazdliwhuten.ca/careers

Interested applicants may send their cover letter and resume to the above address or email to: jobs@nakazdliwhuten.ca

This position is open until filled.

Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE

SUDOKU

HOMES

REAL ESTATE LISTINGS

DESIGN TRENDS • HOME IMPROVEMENTS & RENOVATIONS • OUTDOOR LIVING

6 tips for renovating your foyer

Does your foyer need a little TLC? If so, here are six tips for a successful update project.

1. CONSIDER THE FRONT DOOR

If your front door is in good condition, a fresh coat of paint can do wonders If you need to replace your door, choose one that’s sturdy, secure and has sufficient insulation

2. ADD WINDOWS

If you want your foyer to feel bright and inviting, install windows on either side of the door or choose a model with built-in windows.

3. SPRUCE UP YOUR FLOORING

The floor in your foyer takes a beating and must withstand water, dirt and salt Consequently, choose durable, easy-to-clean materials like ceramic, stone, concrete or vinyl

4. IMPROVE THE LIGHTING

Make sure your entryway is well-lit, both inside and outside. Whether tying your shoelaces or getting your key into the lock, having good lighting can make your everyday life easier.

5. MAKE STORAGE A PRIORITY

Foyers tend to get cluttered. Therefore, efficiency is key Make space to store clothes and accessories for summer and winter Furthermore, consider installing a custom-made cabinet to provide easy access and make the most of the space

6. PAY ATTENTION TO DECOR

Don’t overload your foyer Instead, focus on a few well-selected decorative touches Choose light shades to make the space feel open and airy.

Visit the home improvement stores in your area to get everything you need to update your foyer.

Yakisugi: the charred-wood trend

Shou sugi ban is a traditional Japanese technique of burning wood planks usually cedar or larch to preserve the wood and protect it against UV rays, moisture, insects and other sources of damage. The result of this weatherproofing process is a striking, charcoal-black wood plank known as yakisugi.

hardens the wood. In fact, it’s estimated that this material, when correctly made, has a usable lifespan of at least 80 years What’s more, burnt wood is resistant to fire

In terms of care, these treated wood planks have the benefit of requiring virtually no maintenance However, applying a natural oil to the surface every 15 years or so can help protect yakisugi from the elements.

While yakisugi was traditionally used as a material for siding, this blackened wood is becoming increasingly popular for other applications. The product can now be found indoors on walls and floors and outdoors to construct fences and decks

In addition to its unique appearance, yakisugi is renowned for its durability. The process of scorching planks in a controlled environment eliminates moisture and

Yakisugi is considered an environmentally friendly material because the treatment and maintenance of the wood doesn’t require the use of chemicals or other harmful products

4 steps to patch up drywall

If you want to repair dents and shallow holes in drywall, here are four simple steps to ensure you get the best possible result

1.Sand down the edges. This step ensures the wood putty or spackling compound adheres to the wall Use a finegrit sandpaper (120 or 150) to lightly sand the area around the hole.

2.Clean the surface. Once you finish sanding, vacuum up dust and debris clinging to the wall, then wipe down the area with a damp cloth. Be sure to let the wall dry completely before you apply the filler and paint

3.Apply enough product. Use a trowel to completely fill the hole with wood putty or spackling compound. The product should overflow slightly around the edges. Once it dries, you can sand down the filler until it’s smooth and blends in with the wall If the hole isn’t completely

filled, you’ll need to repeat this step until the surface is even.

4.Repaint the entire wall. While it might be tempting to only paint the affected area, the repair work will likely be noticeable if you do For seamless results, take the time to repaint the entire wall

To find all the materials you need to complete this repair, visit your nearest hardware or home improvement store

GO FOR GOLD.

4 essentials of opening your cottage

Once the weather gets warmer, you’ll likely be eager to take advantage of your summer cottage. However, it’s a good idea to inspect the property and complete any necessary upkeep before the start of the season Here are four things you should do.

1. IDENTIFY AND FIX PROBLEMS

During your first visit of the season, be on the lookout for unpleasant surprises If there’s water damage, an infestation or a broken window, take note of the work that needs to be done Avoid putting off repairs so your cottage will be ready to use as soon as possible. For major issues such as cracks in the foundation or a leaky roof, it’s best to hire a professional

2. INSPECT THE POWER SUPPLY

Whether your cottage runs on propane or electricity, you’ll need to make sure the system’s various components are in good condition before you restore the power For example, there might be a gas leak, or mice could have chewed through wires over the winter If you detect any issues, be sure to contact an electrician

3. TURN THE WATER BACK ON

If your cottage is equipped with a pump that draws water directly from a lake, follow the manufacturer’s instructions If you have a regular plumbing system, start by opening a faucet followed by the main water shut-off valve Let the water run for about five minutes. Wait until the hot water tank is full before you connect and inspect the heater

4. CHECK THE SEPTIC SYSTEM

Make sure there aren’t leaks in the pipes connected to your septic system and that they’re otherwise in good condition Additionally, it’s important to empty and clean your septic tank every few years.This type of maintenance requires specialized equipment, so it’s best to hire a plumber to complete the job.

By taking care of your cottage now, you’ll be able to kick back and enjoy the rest of the season without worry

If you want to renovate your home, you may need to remove some of the existing structures and fixtures. However, when it comes to knocking down load-bearing walls, there’s no room for error Here are some things to consider before you start a demolition project.

THE RISKS OF DOING IT YOURSELF

Even if you have experience as a handyman and strong friends to help you, there’s a lot that can go wrong. Without the proper equipment and knowledge, you risk causing major structural damage and exposing yourself to hazardous materials. Plus, there’s a chance your insurer won’t cover you if an accident occurs

THE PERKS OF HIRING

A PROFESSIONAL

Demolition contractors have the training to safely and efficiently tear down a wide range of structures. From their initial inspection of the site to the removal of waste material, you can count on a professional demolition crew to take care of everything Since they have the right equipment, there’s much less risk of damage or delays.

If you’re looking to hire a demolition contractor, take the time to find an ex-

Demolition projects: DIY vs. hiring a pro

pert in your region with the right credentials and a reliable track record Make sure the company is insured and doesn’t have any warnings or violations from health and safety authorities

PUTTING SAFETY FIRST

Diligent demolition contractors take numerous precautions to protect bystanders and onsite crew Among other things, they may erect temporary fencing and install shelters over sidewalks and walkways